blind 5ers

[HollyVVOOD]

#3

Pre light/Cut: Big Churchill sized stick, not use to smoking one this size. Firmly rolled, very little give. Dark milk chocolate in color. Smooth oil sheen. Very subtle chocolate/tobacco on the draw.

1/3: Sweet tobacco right away rounding off with a little earth. Vanilla lingering on the tongue. Little bit of pepper on the end now finishing off the first 1/3. The smoke has a thin texture but creamy mouthfeel.

2/3: Not much change here. I'm not noticing the flavors or strength getting stronger or weaker here. Burn line isn't exactly razor sharp but it's clean. No reason to correct them yet.

I have to say I am enjoying this even though there's not much complexity, in my opinion. Smoke production has now increased but it's by no means billowing. I really enjoy when a stick gives off plumes of smoke. It's still a thin and creamy mouthfeel.

The draw has opened up a bit, I forgot to mention it was a little tight from the beginning. Still no change in flavors. Man this thing burns slow! Haha

3/3: This has been on low end of a medium in strength but everything's kicking up now. Not brash or too strong just more powerful. I taste a little caramel lingering now. Vanilla seems to have faded. Still a ton of sweet tobacco. The earth is still there on the end also but I find myself trying to find it rather than just tasting it.

I'm finishing up with a couple inches left. This is too large of a stick for me. A little over an hour but vanilla, caramel, sweet Tobacco, and earth all still there. I wouldn't grab this again but whatever this is, in a smaller vitola I may try. Besides, it's getting cold out here. I think it's like 55* burrrr haha.

I did enjoy it thanks @Cricken !

Btw the ash held strong and I was literally about to get a picture when it fell. It was half way through the stick.


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[Cricken]

Nice write up and glad it wasn't another stinker for you, haha. This was the man o war LE occ toro. I don't think they ever made it in a smaller vitola but I wish they would have. For me it was a nice, enjoyable simple smoke but I agree a bit too big

I'm falling behind on my smoking, need to catch back up

 

[Hopduro]

I'm game, this looks awesome, anyone want to play?

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[Bubb]

Well back from the flu, and more than a bit behind.
My camera is still giving me fits so sorry no picks.
This fine smoke was #2 in my batch. It is a 6x54? or so torpedo with an interesting stubby cap. The initial pre-light impression impression is a nice clean fairly smooth stick with a slightly sweet smell.
It lights up perfect and continues this way the entire stick.
There is a slightly dry smooth flavor not at all harsh or overpowering and the ash hangs on for an inch or so before I tap it off, so it doesn't fall into my school book, multitasking and all that. It puts out a lot of white smoke through out.
In the second 3rd there is a brief red pepper that quickly fades and resumes an easy going and difficult for me to describe flavor that is pleasant. The flavor has developed into a slight graham cracker like flavor but only slightly.
The final third continues to burn spot on and is cool and enjoyable to the nub.

I want to thank @multi-usless for the stick. This seems like something I have had a few of and at the risk of making a fool of my self I would guess a Leccia Luchador and I am probably way off.

So what was it let's see.
Yow a yes I had to steal this image but that's it, these can really put me on my ass good thing I had a big lunch. And I do have a few of these kicking around. The stubby cap really threw me off I had not seen one previously. Well more to follow in the next week as I continue to recover.

 

[Hopduro]

Is it too late to get in on this?

Hey, you still want to join in?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Cricken]

Well back from the flu, and more than a bit behind.
My camera is still giving me fits so sorry no picks.
This fine smoke was #2 in my batch. It is a 6x54? or so torpedo with an interesting stubby cap. The initial pre-light impression impression is a nice clean fairly smooth stick with a slightly sweet smell.
It lights up perfect and continues this way the entire stick.
There is a slightly dry smooth flavor not at all harsh or overpowering and the ash hangs on for an inch or so before I tap it off, so it doesn't fall into my school book, multitasking and all that. It puts out a lot of white smoke through out.
In the second 3rd there is a brief red pepper that quickly fades and resumes an easy going and difficult for me to describe flavor that is pleasant. The flavor has developed into a slight graham cracker like flavor but only slightly.
The final third continues to burn spot on and is cool and enjoyable to the nub.

I want to thank @multi-usless for the stick. This seems like something I have had a few of and at the risk of making a fool of my self I would guess a Leccia Luchador and I am probably way off.

So what was it let's see.
Yow a View attachment 76523 yes I had to steal this image but that's it, these can really put me on my ass good thing I had a big lunch. And I do have a few of these kicking around. The stubby cap really threw me off I had not seen one previously. Well more to follow in the next week as I continue to recover.

Nice review and glad to hear you're feeling better!

 

[Cricken]

So I lit up @HollyVVOOD mystery stick #2 last night prior to the big Warriors/Spurs game, got through about 1/3 to 1/2 before tip off then was completely distracted by the game so my notes/review is absolute balls

This stick looked to be a corona gorda, with a pretty smooth wrapper. There looked to be a horizontal cut/break right at the halfway point of the stick that was glued over at the factory. Started out dry and earthy, very very slight hint of pepper. The draw was a bit too tight, even after clipping a 2nd time. As I got through the first 1/3 I noticed more of a nutty and cream flavor

Then game time hit and all my attention was elsewhere, haha. It never became harsh but I do recall the flavors becoming more pronounced at the halfway point. With about 1.5-2 inches left I started to get a bit of a nic buzz... But coulda been the euphoria of my Warriors beginning to stomp the rival Spurs

It was a solid, stick from what I remember while actually focusing on the flavors. It didn't hit the "Wow" factor but it was a pleasant and mild/medium the whole way through.

Thanks for the stick!

 

[ChipS]

Unbanded Cigar #5 Courtesy of @nic
Paired with water
This cigar appears to be a corona gorda, 48RG (give or take) and about 6” long with a dark brown wrapper. The cigar looks good, and has a little give. Love the smell but can’t put a finger on it. Can’t wait to fire it up!
I cut the end and check the draw. Draw is perfect for my taste. With a click of ye olde Xikar I toast the foot and light this sucker up!
First third:
Massive amounts of smoke are pouring out of this cigar. Initial flavors are earth, coffee and a little spice at the end. There is another flavor I’m having trouble picking up but hopefully it will come to me as we progress. Burn line is perfect and this has a nice white ash which falls off on its own about an inch in. I’m starting to get a hint of a woodsy flavor, maybe oak. It’s starting to tunnel so I touch it up a bit.
Second third:
Clouds of smoke are still billowing around my garage from this sucker. Flavor profile is still pretty similar, earth/coffee/wood and a hint of spice. This stick seems to be on the stronger end of the spectrum – I would place it as full. Can definitely feel it a good bit.
Final third:
Flavors still seem to be earth/wood and the spice is hitting the tip of my tongue. I’m not coming up with a guess as to what this is but it seems familiar.
Overall thoughts
This was a good stick, won’t make my box purchase list but I would smoke a few more. Checked the list and this was a Drew Estate Undercrown Gran Toro.
Thank you for the sticks to review Nic, I had fun participating and was pretty cool to force myself to take the time to analyze each one.

 

[nic]

Nice reviews @ChipS !

 

[nic]

Cigar #3: 5.75” 55 ring perfecto
Pre-light
The “cap” suffered some damage in transit, but otherwise decent construction. Chocolate “colorado” wrapper, fair amount of tooth, some glue at the foot. When I was a newer cigar smoker, I really dug the perfecto shape, but it’s lost the magic to me. Smells of funky maduro and spice.

First Third
Immediately hit with a huge blast of white pepper and cayenne. It’s getting the back of my throat in a way that makes me think this is young and not an intentional pepper blast. Almost immediately, the cayenne disappears and is placed with saddle leather, and old oak boards. Zero finish, exhale and it’s gone. I’ve heard of such things, but never experienced it personally.

Second Third
Starting the second third, and the white pepper has taken a back seat to the leather and oak. This finish is still very short. Burn is near perfect, ash held the full third. Mid way through, and it started getting sour, so a purge was needed. I let it sit for a bit and the flavor changed significantly. All pepper and spice are gone. All leather - old saddle leather, freshly tanned leather, raw leather. Hints of burning oak wood and almonds come in and out. There’s a faint sourness that keeps showing up though, that’s really distracting from the otherwise very interesting smoke.

Final Third
Leather bomb from the end of the second third continues with the addition of some strong barn yard flavors. The sourness from the previous third seems to have mostly disappeared. It started getting soft just into the final third, so I put it down. Overall, this has been a nice smoke. I’m not sure that I’d want a box around, but it was a great change from my normal smokes.

Guess
No idea. This has been a very unique smoke. Some super exclusive hipster cigar sold with optional beard oil?

Answer
Leccia Luchador Loco Perfecto

 

[ChipS]

Nice review @nic . I tried to include something you might not have run across - sorry about the cap damage, I should have packed them better.

 

[nic]

Nice review @nic . I tried to include something you might not have run across - sorry about the cap damage, I should have packed them better.

It didn't ever affect the smoke.

 

[multi-useless]

I've been smoking without posting - time to catch up.

Blind review #3:

It's a roughly 5 x 48 with a slightly rectangular box press, and a smooth wrapper with just a little bit of sparkle. Cut is clean, and the cold draw is a little tight.



1/3 - it's smooth burning with a smooth retrohale, and just a little bit of spice/pepper to it. Lots of faint flavors, hard to place any of them as dominant, but they bounce around a lot - there's a "sawmill" type of woody-ness, some nutty and flowery, and some fruity flavors. There's also a little bit of bitterness - not a tar or ammonia bitter, but more like a "citrus" bitter, without any citrus-y flavors. The ash is exceptionally tight.

2/3 - black coffee / espresso starts to come into play; maybe that was the "bitter" I was getting before? The stick gets stronger as I go.

3/3 - still getting stronger, but still smooth and easy-smoking. Still a lot of fruity flavors in the background, but nothing really dominating at the front. I suspect that my sinuses could be masking some of the flavors here. As it gets stronger, it also gets a bit sweeter.

At about an inch and a half to go, I figure I won't be getting anything more worth presenting here, and call the review done. And then, a funny thing happened - I decided to keep puffing just a little bit longer, and before I knew it, this had happened:



I've sometimes wondered before, if some cigars are better suited for focusing on and reviewing, while some are better for just relaxing and not overthinking. When I quit thinking about this one, I nubbed it in no time.

Definitely something I'd smoke again, a solid 2 on the Cricken scale. My guess? Absolutely no idea...

 

[multi-useless]

Blind review number 4:

After the way number 3 finished, I decided to take a more relaxed approach to this one, and see what happened.

What happened was, I ended up with a review that's not as thorough, but hopefully still useful.

It's a torpedo, it cuts clean and has an easy cold draw with some fruity floral notes.

1/3 - draw is super easy, and after about the first 1/4 inch, the pepper sets in. A little further in, it mellows a bit into a spicy/creamy smoke, but the pepper still hits the nose hard.

2/3 and 3/3 - not a lot of change throughout this one, so I'm combining my thirds here - I don't want to call it one-dimensional, but pepper is definitely the dominant flavor throughout, especially on the retro. As with number 3, I think my sinuses my be masking some of the other notes. The draw stayed open the whole time, and construction was solid, but it was more of a pepper bomb than I'm used to.



Overall - not a bad cigar per se, but the super-pepper theme is not in my wheelhouse. Again, no clue what this might be, and I suspect it's an NHIE for me, or at least something I haven't had in a very long time.

I'm going from my notes again on this review - my sinuses have cleared up so that I should be better prepared to review number 5 soon.

 

[Bubb]

Okay so # 3 was a La Riqueza
And #4 was a Four Kicks

 

[multi-useless]

Okay so # 3 was a La Riqueza View attachment 76695
And #4 was a Four Kicks View attachment 76696

That just blew my mind. I'm 3/4 of the way through a box of Four Kicks!!!

 

[Bubb]

That just blew my mind. I'm 3/4 of the way through a box of Four Kicks!!!

It is so wierd when the band is gone and you have to guess, you never know. They also have approx. 1 year on them but i would have thought that would mellow them.

 

[nic]

Cigar #1: 6”ish 48-50 ring
Pre-light
Dark, mottled, veins running about. Nice pig tail cap and shaggy foot. Smells like chocolate, earth, and cedar. Nicely rolled, it smells and looks very familiar, I’m going to try my best to not let that affect my review.

First Third
An initial blast of white pepper fades almost immediately. Cocca, earth, nuts, baking spice, and faint black pepper, this is starting complex. There is a slight note of burning softwood, which isn’t my favorite, but it isn’t super strong, hopefully it burns off soon. Very flaky ash, it had to be knocked off at around .75 inch, as it was dropping flakes all over my keyboard.

Second Third
Same as the first. Coca, earth, nuts. The baking spice is dropping off, and the cocoa is getting stronger. The ash is still very flaky, and is falling on it’s own around a half inch. No other noticeable transitions. Currently, this is sitting firmly in the “yard gar” category.

Final Third
Same as the second. No significant changes. Same basic flavors, same flaky ash. I don’t hate this cigar, but it’s getting boring. I let it go out at the beginning of this third.

Guess
Nica Rustica - I smoked about a half bundle of these when they were first released. I’m sure that’s what it is.

Answer
Nica Rustica! Not a terrible cigar and one I’d likely be happy to smoke, if I was otherwise distracted. However, this isn’t a cigar that has enough going on for me to sit and focus on, so I let it go out.


Thanks @ChipS !

 

[HollyVVOOD]

So I lit up @HollyVVOOD mystery stick #2 last night prior to the big Warriors/Spurs game, got through about 1/3 to 1/2 before tip off then was completely distracted by the game so my notes/review is absolute balls

This stick looked to be a corona gorda, with a pretty smooth wrapper. There looked to be a horizontal cut/break right at the halfway point of the stick that was glued over at the factory. Started out dry and earthy, very very slight hint of pepper. The draw was a bit too tight, even after clipping a 2nd time. As I got through the first 1/3 I noticed more of a nutty and cream flavor

Then game time hit and all my attention was elsewhere, haha. It never became harsh but I do recall the flavors becoming more pronounced at the halfway point. With about 1.5-2 inches left I started to get a bit of a nic buzz... But coulda been the euphoria of my Warriors beginning to stomp the rival Spurs

It was a solid, stick from what I remember while actually focusing on the flavors. It didn't hit the "Wow" factor but it was a pleasant and mild/medium the whole way through.

Thanks for the stick!

I'm glad you enjoyed! I've fallen behind also. Hopefully I can get one in this weekend!

 

[nic]

I really need to get #5 reviewed soon.